Saturday, January 6, was a fun-filled day for our alumni athletes! Our Crusaders had a great turnout for the Alumni Lacrosse, Alumni Rugby and Alumni Soccer games. Organized by the Office of Alumni and committee volunteers, the events were a great day of friendly-competition and reconnection for our Crusader alumni.
The eventful day began with the Alumni Lacrosse game at noon on the Tom and Gayle Benson Field. A great showing of 28 alumni came to play against the varsity and junior varsity, and to partake in the Jambalaya Feast. Current lacrosse players consisting of Noah Velez ‘18 (#23) and Felipe Gomez ‘18 (#10) led the varsity with three goals each, other goals were scored by Ryan Templet ’19 (#32), and Will Walsten ‘19 (#21). Edwin Pigeon ’16 led the alumni with two goals by the middle of the third quarter. The varsity team ended up taking home the victory by a score 8-7, but the alumni were tough until the last second.
The Crusader JVB team also scrimmaged against the Holy Cross JVB team, while the alumni refueled on jambalaya and hamburgers before taking on their next challenge. In addition, Brother Dwight Kenney S.C. ’71 was in attendance receiving a fast education on the rules of lacrosse during the JVB Game. The JV Team then scrimmaged against the alumni to close out the day, but the alumni were out for some goals and outscored the JV team by a score of 13-2.
“The Alumni Game was always one of my favorite days as a player at Brother Martin, but it was even more special to come back as a graduate and play with some old teammates and new players,” said Kirby Steiffel ’16, “It’s awesome to see the program still growing in the right direction.”
Across the street on Farley Field, the Alumni Soccer game kicked-off at 1:30 p.m. The game began with Scott Corrente ‘83, Director of Alumni, welcoming the soccer alumni and dividing up into teams: Crimson vs. White. Each team consisted of 17 alumni players. The Crimson team came out victorious over the White team with a final score of 4-1. All of the players were able to relax and catch up at a social afterwards held at the Office of Alumni.
“It is nice to get all former players together for a match each year. There is always a wide variety of ages that play, which keeps the game fun but still competitive. It is something we look forward to every January,” said Craig Wills ’03.
Lastly, the Alumni Rugby game took place in City Park at 3 p.m. More than 30 former Brother Martin rugby team members joined the current squad for a spirited game of touch rugby. The annual Alumni Game continues the tradition of fellowship and camaraderie that are the hallmarks of the game of rugby. The rugby alumni met up at Finn McCool’s Irish Pub after the game for an evening social.
“We always welcome former players at practice, games and in particular for this annual game,” said Coach Gary Giepert ’80. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for former players to renew friendships and for current players to know some of the family that is Brother Martin Rugby.”
Thank you to all of our alumni participants, alumni sponsors and committee volunteers who helped to plan each of these sporting events! With the great alumni support and participation, these Crusader alumni games were a huge success.
Team White:
Jacob Peters ’06
Andres Armenta ’13
Nico Bereciartua ’11
Dean Floyd ’11
Michael Harrison ’10
Ryan Doubleday ’04
Jorge Rodriguez ’03
Guillermo Reyes ’17
Michael Paternostro ’08
George Bell ’01
Michael Rumney ’13
Larry Centola ’94
Ben Dugas ’13
John Paul Ledet GK ’17
Christian Peters ’10
Alex Rodriguez ’16
Crimson Sponsor
Ben Dugas ’13
Crusader Sponsors
Craig Bauer ’65 CJ – Bauer and Associates
George Bell ’01
Michael Harrison ’10
David Horos ’83
Craig Wills ’03
Andrew Woodroof ’03
Crimson Sponsor
The Giepert Law Firm – Gary J. Giepert ’80
